I sit in my comfortable office, the glow from my computer screen casting shadows on the walls. My fingers dance across the keyboard as I navigate through the intricate levels of "Arm of Retribution," LuLu Games' flagship action-adventure game. The game isn't even out yet, set to release in three days after two long years of anticipation from fans. But for me, hacking into their system to get an early copy was child's play. They wanted to play games with my money? Fine. I will hit them where it hurts.
For the rest of the day, I have been recording my gameplay, capturing every twist and turn, every hidden secret. Levi sits in the lounge, his feet up on the couch, diligently jotting down all the spoilers in a memo. June, on the other hand, is in her office, her fingers flying over her phone as she anonymously releases spoiler screenshots in various gaming forums. We are not worried about getting caught. We are too good at what we do.
After a while, June walks into my office, leaning casually against the doorframe. "So, you want to go have dinner together?" she asks, her voice breaking the silence.
Levi, ever the foodie, rushes in at the mention of food. "I have a place I want to try," he says, excitement in his eyes as he shows us his phone. "It's a seafood place."
"Seafood it is then, on me," I say, standing up and stretching. The three of us head downstairs into the coffee shop. Kirk is wiping the counter. When he sees us he tosses the towel to one of the baristas and joins us.
"Where are we going?" he asks.
"Seafood place," June replies. "Are you coming?"
"I wouldn't pass on that," Kirk says with a grin.
We step out of the store, Levi draping his arm around my shoulders, animatedly describing how good the crab legs and seafood boil sauce are at this place. Just as we step out, someone calls out, "Madam."
I recognise that voice anywhere. It's Conrad, Roan's secretary. I turn around and see him standing next to a sleek black car. I know Roan is looking for me. June tugs at my arm, whispering that we should go, and I nod in agreement. But then Conrad speaks again, "It's about the annulment, madam, please."
I sigh, turning to my friends. "Go on without me, get me something tasty."
Kirk glares at the black car before saying, "Call us if something is wrong."
I nod, walking towards Conrad. He opens the car door, and I slide in, the door closing with a soft thud. Roan is sitting next to me, but I ignore him. There was nothing to talk about in the first place.
As the car starts moving, I pull out my phone and start playing the mobile version of "Arm of Retribution," the familiar sounds of the game filling the tense silence.
I focus intently on the game, my fingers deftly manoeuvring the controls as I navigate through the treacherous terrain. The car's interior is dim, the only light coming from my screen and the soft glow of Roan's laptop. The rhythmic tapping of his fingers on the keyboard fills the small space, a constant reminder of his presence. He hates me, and the feeling is mutual.
The car comes to a halt in the underground parking lot. Roan slams the door shut with a resounding bam, the sound echoing in the confined space. Conrad opens my door and says, "Madam, we have arrived."
"One minute," I reply, my eyes never leaving the screen. The elevator doors close with Roan inside, leaving me alone in the car. I finish the level, satisfied with my progress, and step out, apologising to him.
I walk towards the elevator, and Conrad scans his fingerprint to grant me access. I step inside and press the floor number before he can, catching a glimpse of his startled expression. The elevator ascends smoothly, and when the doors open on the top floor, I step out into the hallway.
I approach the security pad and press the numbers, chuckling softly as I recall that they are Sunny's birthday. In my past life, I only came here twice, both times under the urging of my mother-in-law who insisted I find my husband and bear an heir to the family.
The first time, Roan kicked me out heartlessly, his expression cold and unyielding. The second time, he was drunk and mistook me for Sunny. What happened that day need not be mentioned. That was the night I conceived.
The door opens, and I step into the penthouse, greeted by a familiar older woman. This is Auntie Milli, the family chef. In my past life, she was the only one who was kind to me, but from the storyline, I know she was nothing but Sunny's pawn, another wolf in sheep's clothing.
My lips quirk into a smile as I say, "Hello."
Milli wipes her hands on her apron and puts on that familiar welcoming smile. "Hello, Madam. I am Milli. It's a pleasure to meet you."
I extend my hand to Milli, a polite smile on my face. "It's a pleasure to meet you," I say, my voice steady. This woman used to cook my meals every day, always so kind and attentive. But behind my back, she was slipping strong pills into my drinks to disrupt my fertility, all under Sunny's instruction. They didn't want me to get pregnant. The joke's on them, though, because I was never even close enough to Roan for that to happen.
Milli asks, "Would you like something to drink?"
I shake my head. "No, thank you." Why would I give her the same opportunity twice?
I sit down on the couch, my fingers subconsciously touching my belly. Their plan failed in my past life because I did fall pregnant. My eyes feel sour as I stare blankly ahead, lost in the painful memories. Suddenly, Roan sits opposite me, his presence pulling me back to the present.
The door opens, and I see Roan staring at it. I follow his gaze and see a woman dressed in a colourful outfit walk in. I stand up and extend my hand. "Hello."
"Hello, I am Durleigh. Your husband must have told you about me," she says with a bright smile.
I have no idea who she is, and I certainly don't care to speak to Roan about anything. Durleigh seats herself on the one-seater chair between us, her eyes flicking between Roan and me. She smiles at the distance between us and says, "Wouldn't it be good to sit next to each other?"
Neither Roan nor I respond. We just stare at her with deadpan expressions.
"Okay," Durleigh says, a bit flustered, as she takes out papers from her red briefcase. "As your marriage officer, there are a few things we have to do. An annulment will be the last resort."
I pick up the papers she placed in front of me, my brow arching as I scan the contents. Durleigh continues explaining, her voice a steady drone. "The country's marriage rates and population have been declining, so the law now requires a hundred days after the wedding for an annulment and a year before a divorce can be granted."
Milli enters with a tray of drinks, pouring tea for Durleigh and placing a cup of black coffee in front of Roan. She turns to me, asking, "Madam what would you like to drink?"
"Black coffee is fine," I reply. Milli brings it to me, but I don't touch it. I know better than to trust anything she offers.
Once Milli leaves, I look up and ask, "What if my spouse is causing me mental distress and pain?"
Roan and Durleigh both turn to me, surprise evident on their faces. Durleigh's concern is palpable as she asks, "Did he hurt you?"
I meet Roan's gaze, watching his jaw clench visibly. My lips quirk fleetingly, a movement so brief only Roan notices it. I put on a sad expression and say, "No, he didn't hurt me physically, but he causes me mental and emotional anguish." My voice trembles as I continue, "He loves someone else and would never be with me. He calls me a nuisance and always chases me away. He doesn't even have my number on his phone and only communicates with me through his secretary. When I make something for him, he throws it in the trash. He leaves me to sleep alone in the house. Tell me, is this marriage worth saving? He has failed at his duties as a husband."
Most of these things happened in my previous life, but the memories felt fresh as I recount them. Durleigh gives Roan a disapproving look while Roan stares at me, bewildered. At an angle where only Roan can see, I smirk fleetingly.
I hope my words will convince Durleigh to grant us an annulment without all the bureaucratic hassle. But Durleigh, ever the optimist, says, "Well, after these hundred days, I hope Roan will have a change of heart." Internally, I swear, thinking what a fucking waste of tears.
I sit there, my fingers tapping rhythmically on the armrest, as Durleigh's voice drones on about the couple's counselling. "How about we add some couple's counselling once a week so you can settle your differences?" she suggests, her tone annoyingly optimistic.
"No," Roan and I say in unison, our voices blending in a rare moment of agreement. Roan's fingers find their way to his upper lip, gently rubbing it, his aura overbearing. I look away with a crease in between my brows.
Therapy with Roan? What a waste of time. I glance at Durleigh, who looks taken aback by our immediate refusal but doesn't press the issue. Instead, she shifts gears. "I take it that you are living separately… You will have to live together, like husband and wife," she says, her eyes flicking to the surveillance cameras installed around the room. "The Chairman has gladly offered to monitor you using these."
My eyes widen as I stare at the cameras. Why did Roan install them in the first place? I shoot him a glare, but he remains cold and indifferent, his aura impenetrable.
"If you don't share a bed," Durleigh continues, "the annulment will be cancelled, and you will have to go through a divorce a year from now with the same requirements, plus mandatory marriage counselling. Unless there is, of course, domestic violence involved, which will result in an arrest. Any questions?"
I feel like I have been cheated. Reborn, yet still shackled to this man for a hundred days in the same room. Roan doesn't look thrilled about it either. Durleigh goes on, saying I will have to return to Lynx Corp to work, to "cultivate feelings," as she puts it. Her words blur together, my mind reeling from the absurdity of it all.
Suddenly, Durleigh taps my shoulder, snapping me back to reality. "Sorry, what did you say?" I ask, blinking up at her.
She smiles, repeating, "You should go and get your stuff and move in. I will wait for you to return."
"Isn't this excessive?" I ask, my voice tinged with frustration.
Durleigh's smile turns apologetic, but she doesn't waver. "It's necessary," she says softly.
I stand up, feeling the weight of the situation pressing down on me. This is my life now, tied to Roan, under constant surveillance, and forced to play house. I take a deep breath, steeling myself for the days ahead.
***
I return to Lil' Zing coffee shop with the driver, my mind swirling with the weight of Durleigh's demands. As I step out of the car and make my way up to the office, I see Levi and June, sitting on the couch. Their faces are etched with worry, and it tugs at my heart.
"Selene!" June exclaims, her voice filled with concern as I walk over and sit next to her. "What happened?"
Levi's eyes search mine, his voice low and protective. "Did he hurt you?"
I shake my head, trying to muster a reassuring smile. "No, it's not that. It's about the annulment… I have to move into his place and go back to work for Lynx Corp. If I don't, this thing will drag on for a year, and I don't want to go through that."
June scoffs, her indignation is palpable. "That's unreasonable."
Levi nods in agreement, his brow furrowed. "Then what about here? Aren't you going to work with us anymore?"
"I will still work with you," I say, trying to sound more confident than I feel. "I will work remotely. It's only for the next three and a half months."
Their expressions mirror my own frustration. None of us are happy about this, but what choice do I have? I gather my things, a single suitcase, a box with my office supplies, and my laptop. Levi helps me carry them downstairs, his silence speaking volumes.
June hands me a bag with seafood they bought for me, her hug tight and lingering. "Don't disappear like last time," she whispers, her voice thick with emotion.
"I won't," I promise, trying to sound convincing. "I will see you tomorrow."
Levi pulls me into a hug, his grip firm. "If he lays a finger on you, don't hesitate to tell me."
I smile, though it feels forced, and get into the car. As we drive away, the smile fades, replaced by a scowl. My annoyance with Roan is evident, simmering just beneath the surface. I am so pissed, but what am I supposed to do? This is my reality now, and I have to face it head-on.